Hwangudan

Background Korean monarchs of the Three Kingdoms and Goryeo periods have historically made sacrifices to heaven across the peninsula. The practice was Confucianized with the adoption of the round altar ritual by Seongjong of Goryeo in 983. Creation In 1897, the main coronation site of Hwangudan was constructed by around a thousand workers in ten days. It was constructed on the site of a former reception hall that was used to entertain Chinese ambassadors. (1899) In preparation to ascend the throne, on October 11, 1897, According to Yun, the ceremony concluded at around 5 a.m. That day, preparations began for another ceremony at the shrine for the posthumous elevation of Queen Min to Empress Myeongseong.In 1899, the building Hwanggungu was created to commemorate Taejo, the founder of the Joseon dynasty. Japanese colonial period Despite the celebrations, Korea was only nominally independent; it was then quickly drifting under the influence of the Empire of Japan, which eventually formally colonized it in 1910. ==Architecture==

, the platforms of the coronation site are more clearly visible. (1899) Hwangudan's design was heavily inspired by the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. The coronation site consisted of three progressively smaller platforms with a golden awning over the top platform and a granite wall surrounding the lowest. The bottom floor was around 144 cheok (unit very close to a foot. Around 48 meters) in diameter, the middle 72 cheok (24 m), and the top 36 cheok (12 m). The lower two platforms each had nine steps that led up to the next one. The overall structure was designed by . A scale model of the building was on display at the Seoul Museum of History in 2017. Hwanggungu is a three-storied octagonal shrine north of the main hall. Several other smaller structures and relics still exist in the area. The original gate and main gate leading to Hwanggungu are original, although the main gate was moved away and back to its current spot. In addition, three stone drums () that feature dragon decorations are nearby Hwanggungu. These drums were made in 1902 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Gojong's reign. ==Gallery==